Answer Hub
Numbers go on both sides of the forward half of the hull — port and starboard — above the waterline, reading left to right, with no other number displayed in that area.
Reviewed August 22, 2026
Federal rule and every state require the number on each side of the forward half of the vessel. On most boats that is the bow flare between the rub rail and the waterline. It must be readable from off the boat, not from inside it.
Place the decal high enough that it stays visible when the boat sits at rest in the water, and clear of rails, cleats, fenders, and rope chafe. Curved or heavily flared sections make characters read distorted from the side.
Characters read left to right from the bow toward the stern on both sides. Never mirror the starboard set, never stack the number on two lines, and never reverse the order.
Most states prohibit any other number on the forward half of the hull. Old registration numbers must be removed or fully covered before the new set goes on.
Number location as published by each state's boating agency.
| State | Published wording | Agency |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | Each side of the forward half / bow, above the waterline | Texas Parks and Wildlife Department |
| Florida | Forward half of both sides of the vessel | Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles |
| California | Permanently attached or painted on each side of the bow | California Department of Motor Vehicles |
| Michigan | Each side of the forward half for vessels required to display MC numbers | Michigan Secretary of State / Michigan DNR |
| Wisconsin | Each side of the forward half | Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources |
| Minnesota | Both sides of the forward half | Minnesota Department of Natural Resources |
| North Carolina | Both sides of the bow / forward half | North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission |
| South Carolina | Both sides of the bow / forward half | South Carolina Department of Natural Resources |
| Georgia | Both sides of the bow | Georgia Department of Natural Resources / Law Enforcement Division |
| Tennessee | Both sides of the bow | Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency |
Rules change. Confirm with your state agency before ordering, and see the full 48-state requirement guide.
No. They must be on the hull itself on the forward half of the vessel.
Yes — port and starboard, in the same position on each side.
Place them on a flat, rigid, above-waterline area on the forward half. Some states allow a backing plate when the hull surface will not hold vinyl flat.
The designer lays out a true 3-inch plain block set with correct spacing, cut from six-year marine vinyl and shipped ready to apply.
Editorial review date: August 22, 2026. We publish state-specific rules only where an official agency source confirms them.
